Vacuum sweeper brushroll with magnet assembly

ABSTRACT

A vacuum sweeper brushroll having a ball magnet fitted into a hole in the outer peripheral surface of the brushroll spindle in position to activate an indicator, such as an LED assembly, during rotation of the brushroll.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to vacuum sweepers, and morespecifically to a vacuum sweeper brushroll which carries a magnet foractivating an indicator on the sweeper, such as an LED light, duringrotation of the brushroll.

BACKGROUND ART

Some electric vacuum sweepers include an LED light which is activated bya magnet carried by the brushroll. The purpose of the LED light is toprovide a visual indication that the brushroll is rotating properly.

A conventional brushroll magnet assembly comprises a molded plastic ringhaving at least one pocket which contains a magnet. If desired, themolded ring may have one or more pockets that are rotationally opposedto the magnet and carry counter weights. The molded ring containing thepreassembled magnets and counter weights is press fitted over an end ofthe brushroll. In an attempt to assure a tight fit and prevent relativerotation of the ring and the brushroll which may rotate at a speed of5000 rpm, it has been conventional to form the molded ring with ribs onits inner periphery.

The expense of molding the magnet ring adds to the cost of making thebrushroll. In addition, the steps of pressing the magnets into thepockets of the ring and then press fitting the ring on the brushrollcomplicates the manufacturing procedure and is time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved way ofmounting an activation magnet in association with a vacuum sweeperbrushroll that overcomes the problems of the prior art described above.

In accordance with the invention, a hole is formed in the side ofspindle and a magnet suitable for activating an indicator, such as anLED sensor, is pressed into the hole so that rotation of the spindlewhen assembled in a vacuum sweeper can be detected by movement of themagnet past the sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, a second holerotationally opposed to the magnet is formed in the side of the spindleand a counter weight is mounted in the second hole. The counter weightassures balanced rotation of the brushroll at high speeds.

The invention reduces the cost of making a vacuum sweeper brushroll,since it does not require a magnet carrying ring molded in a separatemanufacturing operation. The manufacture of the brushroll is simplified,since all that is required is to drill a hole in spindle and press fit asuitable magnet into the hole. With the arrangement of the presentinvention, there is no danger of a separately molded ring loosening onthe spindle as a result of high speed rotation.

Other advantages and a fuller understanding of the invention will be hadfrom the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a typical brushroll that includesan activation magnet according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, partially in cross-section, of a portionof the spindle indicated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the plane 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 diagrammatical view showing how the brushroll of the invention ismounted in a vacuum sweeper in operative association with an LED sensorand light.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings, a typical vacuum sweeper brushroll is generallyindicated by reference numeral 10. The brushroll 10 includes a spindleor dowel 20 which is usually made of wood and rows of bristle tufts 30which agitate the carpet to loosen dirt as the brushroll is rotated. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the spindle 20 includes a pulley 31 at oneend of the dowel.

The spindle or dowel 20 is rotatably supported at each end by endassemblies 35. The end assemblies 35 can be of any known constructionsuch as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,603, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The endassemblies 35 include bearings (not shown) and end caps 36 that can beengaged in a vacuum sweeper nozzle to rotatably position the brushroll10 in the mouth of the nozzle. The illustrated end assemblies 35 includepins 38 that are press fitted in the ends of the dowel 20.

It will be appreciated that there are many different brushrollconstructions known in the art. The particular one described above andshown in the drawings is not part of the invention, and merelyillustrates one known brushroll in which the invention can be used toadvantage.

In accordance with the invention, a hole 40 is drilled in the side ofthe dowel 20 and opens on its outer surface. A ball magnet 45 is pressfitted into the hole 40. If desired, a plurality of ball magnets can beinserted in side-by-side holes in the dowel 20. The ball magnet 45 isselected with a magnetic strength to activate an indicator in thesweeper. As an example, a ball magnet having a magnetic strength of 4000Gauss has been used to activate an LED sensor; although lesser magneticstrengths are suitable depending upon the coil in the LED assembly.

As shown, it is possible to drill a hole 41 in the dowel 20 forreceiving a counter weight ball 46, the hole 41 and counter weight 46being rotationally opposed to the hole 40 and magnet 45. As in the caseof the magnet 45, a plurality of side-by-side counter weights can beprovided, if desired.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the brushroll 10 is shown mounted in the mouthof a vacuum sweeper nozzle 50. An LED light 51 visible on the uppersurface of the nozzle 50 is electrically connected to the coil (notshown) of a sensor 52 which has a pole 53 adjacent the brushroll spindle20 and the rotation path of the magnet 45. As the brushroll 10 rotates,the ball magnet 45 passes the pole 53 of the LED assembly which causesthe coil of the LED assembly to generate enough power to turn on theLED. Activation of the LED provides visual indication that the brushrollis turning.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the invention provides a uniqueway of activating an LED light or other indicator of a vacuum sweeper,and that the invention can be carried out faster and cheaper than theprior art arrangement wherein a magnet is carried in a separately moldedring press fitted onto the brushroll spindle. The need for a separatelymolded part is eliminated, and all that is necessary is to drill a holein the spindle and press a ball magnet into the hole. This arrangementalso avoids the danger of a molded ring loosening on the spindle so thatthe spindle spins inside the ring.

Many modifications and variations of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing detailed disclosure.Therefore, it is to be understood, that within the scope of the appendedclaims, the invention can be practiced otherwise and as specificallyshown and described.

1. In a vacuum sweeper brushroll including a spindle and bristle tuftscarried by the spindle, the improvement comprising a hole in the side ofthe spindle and a magnet fixed in said hole.
 2. A vacuum sweeperbrushroll as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spindle includes a counterweight rotationally opposed to said magnet.
 3. In a vacuum sweeperbrushroll including a spindle and bristle tufts carried by said spindle,the improvement comprising a first hole having an opening on the outerperipheral surface of said spindle, a ball magnet fitted in said firsthole, a second hole rotationally opposed to said first hole having anopening on the outer peripheral surface of said spindle, and a counterweight fitted in said second hole.
 4. In a vacuum sweeper having arotatable brush roll including a spindle and bristle tufts carried bysaid spindle, a nozzle, a magnetic sensor adjacent said spindle, and anindicator that is actuated by said sensor, the improvement comprising ahole in the side of said spindle, and a magnet mounted in said hole withthe rotation path of said magnet being adjacent said sensor, wherebysaid indicator is activated by rotation of said brushroll.
 5. Theimprovement as claimed in claim 4 wherein said indicator and sensorcomprise an LED assembly.